Since the economic downturn, break-ins have gone up, especially vehicle break-ins, but things seem to be getting worse in recent weeks. Police throughout the area agree the up-tick is the result of a perfect storm.

By Maribeth Conway

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

By Maribeth Conway

Posted Nov. 29, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 29, 2010 at 4:51 PM

By Maribeth Conway

Posted Nov. 29, 2010 at 12:01 AM
Updated Nov 29, 2010 at 4:51 PM

BRIDGEWATER

» Social News

The home’s side door was wide open. The 42-inch flat screen television was gone. The contents of drawers and closets were spilled onto the floor of the Bridgewater home.

A 79-year-old man who has lived alone since his wife died in 2002 had just returned to his South Street house from a night away. He’d been robbed.

“It’s just an uncomfortable feeling,” he said.

His tax documents were swiped along with bank books and his checkbook. He’s also likely a victim of identity theft, he said.

Just a few streets away, jewelry, iPods and cash were reported stolen from seven other Bridgewater vehicles and homes within days of the South Street robbery.

A diabetic homeowner said even his syringes went missing. Syringes are known to hold a street value of about $3 to $4 each.

One week later, guns, jewelry and GPS navigation units were reported missing in Middleboro after a house and two cars were broken into.

Since the economic downturn, break-ins have gone up, especially vehicle break-ins, but things seem to be getting worse in recent weeks.

Police throughout the area agree the up-tick is the result of a perfect storm.

“It’s a combination of a lot of things – OxyContin and heroin addictions plus the economy and holidays,” said East Bridgewater Detective Mike Jenkins.

Electronics and jewelry, especially gold jewelry, which currently has a high resale value, are the choices of thieves, say police.

“The drug addictions are pretty much an epidemic and jewelry theft feeds the addiction in my opinion and is fueling the ‘take cash for gold business,’” said Jenkins.

Thieves either sell their loot to local pawn shops or to dealers on the streets.

“If a dealer is offered a $200 gold chain for $40 worth of drugs, obviously he’ll take the gold chain,” said Jenkins.

“The heroin epidemic drives crimes of opportunity,” said Brockton police Lt. Robert Sergio. “They’re usually quick and not planned out.”

Sergio said take away the opportunity and there won’t be a crime.

“It’s a triangle with three points – victim, a willing participant and a location. If you remove any one of those you remove the crime,” he said.

“Don’t just throw an empty LCD TV box outside the house on trash day, you’re advertising that in the house you’ve got a 42-inch plasma TV,” said Sergio. “Crush up the box and hide it.”

Hide all evidence of holiday shopping, agree police.

“Whenever malls are busy, thefts go up,” said Sergio.

Holiday gifts should be locked in car trunks and GPS navigation units should also be hidden.

Police say they can’t emphasize enough that drivers must lock car doors as thieves will usually pass by a locked car.

Page 2 of 2 -
At home, sensor lights, locked windows and alarm systems are the best deterrents to robberies and police especially ask for tighter neighborhood watches.

“If you see a suspicious car, you’ve got to call then, don’t wait until the next morning to call,” said Jenkins.